Great Britain’s greatest golfer of the modern era, Sir Nick Faldo, will play in his last Open at St Andrews this summer on the 25th anniversary of his victory at the home of golf.
The six-time Major Champion plans to make a farewell on the famous Swilcan Bridge after a long and hugely successful career which saw him become Champion Golfer of the Year at St Andrews in 1990 and at Muirfield in 1987 and 1992. He also achieved ten top ten finishes in The Open between 1978 and 2003.
The Englishman, who will celebrate his 58th birthday during The Open, will join five-time Open Champion Tom Watson in making a final appearance in the Championship in July.
Sir Nick said, “The Open and St Andrews will forever hold a significant place in my heart. My fondest moments on my journey with this great sport are woven with pictures and emotions in this setting. It all means a huge amount to me.
“I look forward to celebrating all that golf has given me as I cross that storied bridge and the wonderful memories I share with many people. I am grateful for it all and grateful to golf.”
Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “Sir Nick Faldo is an inspirational figure in British golf and has enjoyed a remarkable career in The Open. He has delighted the galleries over many years with his three victories and consistently outstanding performances. I’m sure there will be great anticipation among the galleries at St Andrews to see him play in The Open once again and he will receive a rousing ovation worthy of a great Champion.”
Faldo will be among a cast of golf’s greatest players who will take part in the Champion Golfers’ Challenge on Wednesday 15 July ahead of The Open. He will join five-time Champions Peter Thomson, who is celebrating the 60th anniversary of his triumph at St Andrews in 1955, and Watson, on the 40th anniversary of his win in his debut appearance at Carnoustie in 1975.
In a glittering career, Faldo won the Masters Tournament on three occasions. He played in 11 European Ryder Cup teams, becoming the leading points-scorer in the competition’s history, before captaining the team in 2008. He was runner-up in both the US Open and the USPGA Championship. In addition to his Major wins, Faldo won 24 European Tour events and led the money list in 1983 and 1992. He also won three events on the PGA Tour.
Faldo established The Faldo Series in 1996 and it has developed into a global amateur series for young men and women with 40 tournaments being played each year in more than 30 countries. Open Champion Rory McIlroy and former world number one Yani Tseng are among those to have played in the series which receives support from The R&A.
The 144th Open will be played at St Andrews from 12-19 July http://www.theopen.com
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